Schnitzer sink rack

ABSTRACT

A folding dish dryer and rack comprised of two rectangular frames pinned together in an “x” shape. With the frames fitted with a plurality of rods extending between the top and bottom of each frame. The back of the front frame fitted with short upright rods extending to receive cups, glasses and the like. The rack equipped with a fork, spoon and utensil net suspended and fastened in between the bottoms of the two frames and a rigid splash guard attached to the rear of the back frame to divert rinse water back into the sink.

BACKGROUND

This new and improved dish drainer was invented due to the inefficiency of the standard type comprised of a basket, silverware cup and pan. In beginning analysis, I found the most obvious problem with conventional dish draining systems was that the basket of draining dishes type required a considerable amount of time and counter space to dry, limiting the area to prepare food or perform other kitchen duties simultaneously.

I looked to the in-sink draining basket types but they utilized half or all of one sink restricting the area between the basket and faucet for rinsing. And, they were limited for dish capacity, especially the ½ sink models.

Other dish drainers researched were more like utility shelves, being placed permanently over the two sinks. These designs incorporated provisions such as paper towel holders and a shelf area for salt and pepper shakers. Other similar devices were big cages or boxes with many shelves for dishes and such being placed over the sinks. However, these types did not fold up and had no provision for directing the draining water into the sink consequently creating a splash effect and water mess that was not acceptable.

The problem at hand was to design a comprehensive dish draining system that incorporated a dish drying rack, the glass and cup holders, silverware container, and drain pan into a simple one piece unit.

In order to leave the counter and sinks completely free of draining dishes, the unit would have to be erected in the typically unused area above and to the back of the sinks.

Since the unit would bridge and be the width of two sinks, it would have to fold or collapse into a slim shape for transport and easy storage.

The answer came by building a folding, over-the-sink dish rack with an attached, rigid splash guard. An improved dish drainer that incorporates built-in cup, silverware and dish receptacles.

A system that enables the user to experience 100% more counter space and faster drying kitchenware due to the fact that dishes drained in a higher profile experience more air movement, rather than being placed directly over a small body of water in a flat pan that can eventually create slim, mold and even bacteria.

SUMMARY

I propose a folding dish drainer that is erected across and over the sinks or sink with an attached, somewhat rigid splash guard incorporating the plate, cup and silverware receptacles all in one neat collapsible unit.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of the Schnitzer Sink rack embodying my Invention

FIG. 2 is a drawing of the Schnitzer Sink Rack seen from a ¾ top view

DESCRIPTION

The drawings show a dish drainer comprised of two frames, with the legs of the frames pinned together in a way as to permit the folding of the two frames, in scissor like fashion, together for storage.

The two frames are equipped with a series of notches and rods which keep the plates erect and in place.

The rigid but somewhat flexible splash guard is manufactured from a ⅛ inch or thicker clear plastic or wood panel attached to two small blocks. The blocks have holes in them to receive and rotate on rods or dowels that extend slightly from the inside of the legs of the back frame. There is also a fixed splash guard model where the splash guard is immoveable and attached directly to the back frame.

The front frame which is slightly wider than the back frame is featured with a series of short, protruding rods (FIG. 1) which serve as cup and glass holders.

In between the bottoms of the two frames, small nylon ropes or netting is installed to provide a net surface to receive silverware and such for draining.

In order for the Schnitzer Sink Rack not to collapse under the weight of draining kitchenware, small and secured nylon suspension ropes have been installed in both sides of the frames keeping the two panels from splitting apart when in use. 

1. I claim a folding, over-the-sink dish draining rack with attached splash guard comprising of two (2) rectangular frames fitted with a series of rods and notches, with the legs of the frames hinged or pinned together in scissor like fashion for the reception and retention of the articles being drained, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 2. The rack as claimed in claim #1 constructed to include a rigid or bendable splash guard for diverting rinse water back into the sink hinged or fixed to the back of the rear frame and being able to fold up with the rack on storage with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 3. The rack as claimed in claim #1 constructed to include a series of short rods extending from the back of the front panel to receive cups and drinking glasses for draining with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 4. The rack as claimed in claim #1 constructed to accommodate nylon netting to be installed in between the bottoms of the two frames to receive kitchen utensils for draining and drying with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 5. The rack as claimed in claim #1 constructed to accommodate two (2) nylon ropes connected to both sides of the frames by drill holes bored through the frames. Each suspension rope to be fastened in-between both frames keeping the rack from collapsing out when assembled with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 6. The rack as claimed in claim #1, but a smaller version being erected and placed to the left or right of the sinks instead of above them like the larger model. 